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Whistler3 Frontcover
The Whistler is the occasionally issued journal of the Hunter Bird Observers Club Inc. ISSN 1835-7385 The aims of the Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC), which is affiliated with Bird Observation and Conservation Australia, are: To encourage and further the study and conservation of Australian birds and their habitat To encourage bird observing as a leisure-time activity HBOC is administered by a Committee: Executive: Committee Members: President: Paul Baird Craig Anderson Vice-President: Grant Brosie Liz Crawford Secretary: Tom Clarke Ann Lindsey Treasurer: Rowley Smith Robert McDonald Ian Martin Mick Roderick Publication of The Whistler is supported by a Sub-committee: Mike Newman (Joint Editor) Harold Tarrant (Joint Editor) Liz Crawford (Production Manager) Chris Herbert (Cover design) Liz Huxtable Ann Lindsey Jenny Powers Mick Roderick Alan Stuart Authors wishing to submit manuscripts for consideration for publication should consult Instructions for Authors on page 61 and submit to the Editors: Mike Newman [email protected] and/or Harold Tarrant [email protected] Authors wishing to contribute articles of general bird and birdwatching news to the club newsletter, which has 6 issues per year, should submit to the Newsletter Editor: Liz Crawford [email protected] © Hunter Bird Observers Club Inc. PO Box 24 New Lambton NSW 2305 Website: www.hboc.org.au Front cover: Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis – Photo: Ann Lindsey Back cover: Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva - Photo: Chris Herbert The Whistler is proudly supported by the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority Editorial The Whistler 3 (2009): i-ii The Whistler – Editorial The Editors are pleased to provide our members hopefully make good reading now, but will and other ornithological enthusiasts with the third certainly provide a useful point of reference for issue of the club’s emerging journal. -
Jervis Bay Territory Page 1 of 50 21-Jan-11 Species List for NRM Region (Blank), Jervis Bay Territory
Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions Species List What is the summary for and where does it come from? This list has been produced by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) for the Natural Resource Management Spatial Information System. The list was produced using the AustralianAustralian Natural Natural Heritage Heritage Assessment Assessment Tool Tool (ANHAT), which analyses data from a range of plant and animal surveys and collections from across Australia to automatically generate a report for each NRM region. Data sources (Appendix 2) include national and state herbaria, museums, state governments, CSIRO, Birds Australia and a range of surveys conducted by or for DEWHA. For each family of plant and animal covered by ANHAT (Appendix 1), this document gives the number of species in the country and how many of them are found in the region. It also identifies species listed as Vulnerable, Critically Endangered, Endangered or Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act. A biodiversity summary for this region is also available. For more information please see: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/anhat/index.html Limitations • ANHAT currently contains information on the distribution of over 30,000 Australian taxa. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, 137 families of vascular plants (over 15,000 species) and a range of invertebrate groups. Groups notnot yet yet covered covered in inANHAT ANHAT are notnot included included in in the the list. list. • The data used come from authoritative sources, but they are not perfect. All species names have been confirmed as valid species names, but it is not possible to confirm all species locations. -
Promiscuity and the Evolutionary Transition to Complex Societies
Vol 466 | 19 August 2010 | doi:10.1038/nature09335 LETTERS Promiscuity and the evolutionary transition to complex societies Charlie K. Cornwallis1*, Stuart A. West2, Katie E. Davis3 & Ashleigh S. Griffin1* Theory predicts that the evolution of cooperative behaviour is societies more generally, the challenge is to test whether promiscuity favoured by low levels of promiscuity leading to high within-group rates explain why an individual with the potential to breed chooses to relatedness1–5. However, in vertebrates, cooperation often occurs help instead. between non-relatives and promiscuity rates are among the highest There are a number of reasons why monogamy may be less important recorded. Here we resolve this apparent inconsistency with a phylo- in the evolution of cooperative breeding in vertebrates. First, direct genetic analysis of 267 bird species, demonstrating that cooperative benefits of cooperation that increase reproductive success and do not breeding is associated with low promiscuity; that in cooperative depend on kinship have been suggested to have a greater role in verte- species, helping is more common when promiscuity is low; and that brates12–14. Second, strict lifetime monogamy is relatively rare in verte- intermediate levels of promiscuity favour kin discrimination. brates. Two of the highest promiscuity rates ever recorded are in Overall, these results suggest that promiscuity is a unifying feature cooperative breeders: the superb fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus, and the across taxa in explaining transitions to and from cooperative Australian magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen (Supplementary Information). societies. Third, it has been argued that cooperative breeding will actually lead The increase in complexity from simple replicating molecules to to higher rates of promiscuity, because helpers release females from complex animal societies has involved approximately eight major the need to secure paternal care from her mate through paternity evolutionary transitions6,7. -
Brigalow Belt Bioregion – a Biodiversity Jewel
Brigalow Belt bioregion – a biodiversity jewel Brigalow habitat © Craig Eddie What is brigalow? including eucalypt and cypress pine forests and The term ‘brigalow’ is used simultaneously to refer to; woodlands, grasslands and other Acacia dominated the tree Acacia harpophylla; an ecological community ecosystems. dominated by this tree and often found in conjunction with other species such as belah, wilga and false Along the eastern boundary of the Brigalow Belt are sandalwood; and a broader region where this species scattered patches of semi-evergreen vine thickets with and ecological community are present. bright green canopy species that are highly visible among the more silvery brigalow communities. These The Brigalow Belt bioregion patches are a dry adapted form of rainforest, relics of a much wetter past. The Brigalow Belt bioregion is a large and complex area covering 36,400 000ha. The region is thus recognised What are the issues? by the Australian Government as a biodiversity hotspot. Nature conservation in the region has received increasing attention because of the rapid and extensive This hotspot contains some of the most threatened loss of habitat that has occurred. Since World War wildlife in the world, including populations of the II the Brigalow Belt bioregion has become a major endangered bridled nail-tail wallaby and the only agricultural and pastoral area. Broad-scale clearing for remaining wild population of the endangered northern agriculture and unsustainable grazing has fragmented hairy-nosed wombat. The area contains important the original vegetation in the past, particularly on habitat for rare and threatened species including the, lowland areas. glossy black-cockatoo, bulloak jewel butterfl y, brigalow scaly-foot, red goshawk, little pied bat, golden-tailed geckos and threatened community of semi evergreen Biodiversity hotspots are areas that support vine thickets. -
Wildlife Matters Wildlife Conservancy
australian wildlife matters wildlife conservancy Spring 2009 Pungalina reveals one of Australia’s rarest mammals Carpentarian Pseudantechinus 2 australian saving australia’s threatened wildlife wildlife Pictograph conservancy Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of Wildlife Matters. As this edition goes to print, we are in the process of fi nalising the acquisition of Bowra (see pages 4-5), a 14,000 the awc mission hectare property located in the heart of the Mulga Lands in Queensland. Bowra will The mission of Australian Wildlife Conservancy be our 21st sanctuary, bringing the AWC network to more than 2.56 million hectares (AWC) is the effective conservation of all (6.3 million acres). Australian animal species and the habitats in While the overall scale of the portfolio is impressive, it is not the number of properties or which they live. To achieve this mission, our hectares that really count. A more accurate measure of the value of the portfolio is the actions are focused on: number of species and ecosystems that occur within the AWC estate. In this respect, • Establishing a network of sanctuaries the statistics are even more impressive – for example, around 80% of all Australian which protect threatened wildlife and terrestrial bird species and over 60% of all terrestrial mammal species occur on one or ecosystems: AWC now manages 20 more of our sanctuaries. sanctuaries covering over 2.56 million The fact that our portfolio captures such a high percentage of Australia’s wildlife species hectares (6.3 million acres). refl ects a deliberate, science-based strategy to ensure that AWC invests in properties • Implementing practical, on-ground of the highest environmental value. -
Riversleigh World Heritage Area Brochure
ecological and biological processes. processes. biological and ecological processes. biological and ecological examples representing significant ongoing ongoing significant representing examples ongoing significant representing examples in Queensland. in Queensland. in stages of earth’s history, and Outstanding Outstanding and history, earth’s of stages Outstanding and history, earth’s of stages , including Riversleigh, are are Riversleigh, including , 5 — List Heritage World are Riversleigh, including , 5 — List Heritage World Outstanding examples representing major major representing examples Outstanding major representing examples Outstanding There are 19 Australian properties on the the on properties Australian 19 are There the on properties Australian 19 are There experiencemountisa.com.au experiencemountisa.com.au two of the ten World Heritage criteria: criteria: Heritage World ten the of two criteria: Heritage World ten the of two Amazon Rainforest. Rainforest. Amazon Rainforest. Amazon of years ago. For more information visit visit information more For ago. years of visit information more For ago. years of the World Heritage List in 1994. Both areas meet meet areas Both 1994. in List Heritage World the meet areas Both 1994. in List Heritage World the Canyon, the Egyptian Pyramids and the the and Pyramids Egyptian the Canyon, the and Pyramids Egyptian the Canyon, within the Riversleigh landscape as it was millions millions was it as landscape Riversleigh the within millions was it as landscape Riversleigh the within Riversleigh and Naracoorte were inscribed on on inscribed were Naracoorte and Riversleigh on inscribed were Naracoorte and Riversleigh Other World Heritage Sites include the Grand Grand the include Sites Heritage World Other Grand the include Sites Heritage World Other fascinating reconstructions of prehistoric animals animals prehistoric of reconstructions fascinating animals prehistoric of reconstructions fascinating significance’ to all humanity. -
Supplementary Material Spatial Analysis of Limiting Resources on An
10.1071/WR14083_AC ©CSIRO 2014 Supplementary Material: Wildlife Research 41 , 510–521 Supplementary material Spatial analysis of limiting resources on an island: diet and shelter use reveal sites of conservation importance for the Rottnest Island quokka Holly L. Poole A, Laily Mukaromah A, Halina T. Kobryn A and Patricia A. Fleming A,B ASchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, WA 6150, Australia. BCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Table S1. Raw data of plant fragment identification for 67 faecal samples from Rottnest Island quokkas Plant Family Plants No. No. No. field group faecal fragments validation sample quadrats sites present in present in Dicot Malvaceae Guichenotia ledifolia 52 9854 75 Dicot Fabaceae Acacia rostellifera 37 3018 37 Monocot Asphodelaceae Trachyandra divaricata 46 2702 145 Dicot Myrtaceae Melaleuca lanceolata 25 1506 28 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia 13 1350 4 halocnemoides Monocot Poaceae Stipeae (Tribe) 34 1302 171 Monocot Asphodelaceae Asphodelus fistulosus 26 1103 22 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Rhagodia baccata 13 1002 46 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Suaeda australis 12 862 2 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Threlkeldia diffusa 15 829 0 Monocot Poaceae Rostraria cristata 27 788 71 Monocot Poaceae Sporobolus virginicus 5 617 2 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Sarcocornia sp . 10 560 0 Dicot Lamiaceae Westringia dampieri 5 383 46 Dicot Goodeniaceae Scaevola crassifolia 10 349 20 Monocot Cyperaceae Gahnia trifida 8 281 6 Other Cupressaceae Callitris preissii 3 148 18 Monocot Poaceae Poa poiformis 2 116 0 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Atriplex spp. (A. 1 40 1 paludosa ) Monocot Poaceae Polypogon maritimus 1 39 0 Dicot Myrtaceae Agonis flexuosa 1 15 0 Monocot Poaceae Brachypodium distachyon 0 0 1 Monocot Asphodelaceae Bulbine semibarbata 0 0 1 Dicot Pittosporaceae Pittosporum 0 0 1 phylliraeoides Monocot Poaceae Spinifex longifolius 0 0 1 Dicot Fabaceae Acacia saligna 0 0 2 Dicot Chenopodiaceae Atriplex cinerea 0 0 2 1 Dicot Asteraceae Centaurea sp . -
Attempting to See One Member of Each of the World's Bird Families Has
Attempting to see one member of each of the world’s bird families has become an increasingly popular pursuit among birders. Given that we share that aim, the two of us got together and designed what we believe is the most efficient strategy to pursue this goal. Editor’s note: Generally, the scientific names for families (e.g., Vireonidae) are capital- ized, while the English names for families (e.g., vireos) are not. In this article, however, the English names of families are capitalized for ease of recognition. The ampersand (&) is used only within the name of a family (e.g., Guans, Chachalacas, & Curassows). 8 Birder’s Guide to Listing & Taxonomy | October 2016 Sam Keith Woods Ecuador Quito, [email protected] Barnes Hualien, Taiwan [email protected] here are 234 extant bird families recognized by the eBird/ Clements checklist (2015, version 2015), which is the offi- T cial taxonomy for world lists submitted to ABA’s Listing Cen- tral. The other major taxonomic authority, the IOC World Bird List (version 5.1, 2015), lists 238 families (for differences, see Appendix 1 in the expanded online edition). While these totals may appear daunting, increasing numbers of birders are managing to see them all. In reality, save for the considerable time and money required, finding a single member of each family is mostly straightforward. In general, where family totals or family names are mentioned below, we use the eBird/Clements taxonomy unless otherwise stated. Family Feuds: How do world regions compare? In descending order, the number of bird families supported by con- tinental region are: Asia (125 Clements/124 IOC), Africa (122 Clem- ents/126 IOC), Australasia (110 Clements/112 IOC), North America (103 Clements/IOC), South America (93 Clements/94 IOC), Europe (73 Clements/74 IOC ), and Antarctica (7 Clements/IOC). -
Terrestrial Fauna Assessment
Cameby Downs Continued Operations Project EnvironmentalEnvironmental Values Assessment Assessment APPENDIX E Terrestrial Fauna Assessment Cameby Downs Continued Operation Project Terrestrial Fauna Assessment May 2018 Syntech Resources Pty Ltd ecology / vegetation / wildlife / aquatic ecology / GIS Executive summary The Cameby Downs Mine is owned and operated by Syntech Resources Pty Ltd (Syntech) and is managed by Yancoal Australia Ltd (Yancoal). Syntech are considering expanding their operation area as part of the Cameby Downs Continued Operations Project (the Project) and an environmental values statement is being prepared to accompany a major Environmental Authority Amendment application. Syntech commissioned Ecosure Pty Ltd (Ecosure) to undertake terrestrial fauna field surveys and ecological assessments to address the minimum requirements in the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage (DEHP) Information Request for an Amendment Application for an Environmental Authority. To supplement previous fauna surveys undertaken over the last decade, Ecosure undertook preliminary surveys and targeted surveys in July 2016. More comprehensive surveys followed in October 2016. Overall, six detailed trapping sites, 50 observational surveys and 56 targeted surveys were undertaken across the study area to determine the likelihood of occurrence of species listed as conservation significant species under State legislation and/ or threatened under Commonwealth legislation. A total of five conservation significant species have been recorded during field surveys (including previous surveys) conducted in the study area. These were: • koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) • glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) • grey snake (Hemiaspis damelii) • short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) • yakka skink (Egernia rugosa) (during previous surveys only). A total of 192 species were recorded during the field surveys, including 13 amphibians, 101 birds, 25 mammals and 26 reptiles. -
Universidade Federal Do Ceará Centro De Ciências
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGIA CURSO DE CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS NÁDIA MARIA FREITAS EDUARDO ANÁLISE FUNCIONAL DO ESQUELETO APENDICULAR DE UM MARSUPIAL AUSTRALIANO DO MIOCENO FORTALEZA 2017 NÁDIA MARIA FREITAS EDUARDO ANÁLISE FUNCIONAL DO ESQUELETO APENDICULAR DE UM MARSUPIAL AUSTRALIANO DO MIOCENO Monografia apresentada ao Curso de Ciências Biológicas do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará, como requisito parcial para obtenção do Título de Bacharel em Ciências Biológicas. Orientador: Prof. Dr. Vicente Vieira Faria. Co-orientador: Dr. Michael Archer. FORTALEZA 2017 Aos meus pais, Eduardo e Kátia. Ao Grupo de Discussão sobre Mamíferos e Aves (GDMA) AGRADECIMENTOS À minha mãe, Kátia Freitas, por ter sido meu porto seguro, meu suporte e minha conselheira durante toda a graduação, desde a época do vestibular, passando pelo intercâmbio, até minha formatura. Ao meu pai, que mesmo falecido, sempre foi minha inspiração. À minha irmã, por sempre me apoiar e me provocar questionamentos. A os meus professores, colegas de graduação, colegas de trabalho e funcionários da UFC. Enfim, a todos aqueles que cruzaram meu caminho durante esses anos de graduação e, de alguma forma, colaboraram para minha formação profissional, pessoal e critica. À Pró Reitoria de Assuntos Estudantis, por ter me provido com uma vaga no programa de Residência Universitária, permitindo com que eu concluísse meus estudos em Fortaleza. Ao Grupo de Discussão sobre Mamíferos e Aves, que foi meu refúgio e principal fonte de conhecimento e discussão durante a graduação. A todos os laboratórios dos quais eu fiz parte. Em especial, durante minha Iniciação Científica no Laboratório de Histologia Animal, onde dei meus primeiros passos na pesquisa científica. -
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R.L. Barrett, Description of six Lepidosperma species 295 Nuytsia The journal of the Western Australian Herbarium 22(5): 295–322 Published online 6 November 2012 Description of six Lepidosperma species (Cyperaceae) based on type specimens Russell L. Barrett Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth, Western Australia 6005 School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009 Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983 Email: [email protected] Abstract Barrett, R.L. Description of six Lepidosperma species (Cyperaceae) based on type specimens. Nuytsia 22(5): 295–322 (2012). Many species of Lepidosperma Labill. have been poorly circumscribed, resulting in significant nomenclatural confusion. Full descriptions of six species based solely on type specimens held in the Webb Herbarium in Florence (FI-W) and the Preiss Herbarium in Lund (LD) are presented here in order to facilitate accurate application of the names involved. Descriptions are provided for Lepidosperma costale Nees, L. gladiatum Labill., L. fimbriatum Nees, L. humile (Nees) Boeck., L. longitudinale Labill. and L. squamatum Labill., as well as notes about these species. Introduction The genus Lepidosperma Labill. contains 73 currently named species (Barrett & Wilson 2012) with a large number of unnamed taxa remaining to be described. Determining the correct application of existing names is crucial before any new names are created so as not to increase nomenclatural confusion. Barrett and Wilson (2012) have recently examined all relevant type specimens and chosen lectotypes as required, resolving a great deal of past confusion. -
A Preliminary Assessment of Faunal Values Within and Adjacent EPC 1029, Styx Basin, Central-East Queensland
A preliminary assessment of faunal values within and adjacent EPC 1029, Styx Basin, central-east Queensland ) Prepared for Yeats Consulting Engineers by Ed Meyer, Ecological Consultant,S Luscombe Street, Runcorn QLD 4113 ([email protected]) Conditions of use This report may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned. The use of this report, or part thereof, for any other reason or purpose is prohibited without the written consent of the author. Front cover: Fauna recorded from EPC 1029 during March 2011 surveys. Clockwise from upper left: ornamental snake (Denisonia maculata); squatter pigeon (southern race) (Geophaps scripta scripta); metallic snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus metal/icus); and eastern sedgefrog (Litoria tal/ax). ©Edward Meyer 2011 5 Luscombe Street, Runcorn QLD 4113 E-mail:[email protected] Version 2 _ 3 August 2011 2 Table of contents 1. Summary 4 2. Background 6 Description of study area 6 Nomenclature 6 Abbreviations and acronyms 7 3. Methodology 9 General approach 9 ) Desktop assessment 9 Likelihood of occurrence assessments 10 Field surveys 11 Survey conditions 15 Survey limitations 15 4. Results 17 Desktop assessment findings 17 Likelihood of occurrence assessments 17 Field survey results -fauna 20 Field survey results - fauna habitat 22 Habitat for conservation significant species 28 ) 5. Summary and conclusions 37 6. References 38 Appendix A: Fauna previously recorded from Desktop Assessment Study Area 41 Appendix B: likelihood of occurrence assessments for conservation significant fauna 57 Appendix C: March 2011 survey results 73 Appendix D: Habitat photos 85 Appendix E: Habitat assessment proforma 100 3 1. Summary The faunal values of land within and adjacent Exploration Permit for Coal (EPe) 1029 were investigated by way of desktop review of existing information as well as field surveys carried out in late March 201l.